Boulter battles past Yuan to reach Hong Kong final

British number one Katie Boulter will climb into the world’s top 25 for the first time after beating Chinese sixth seed Yue Yuan 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach the final of the Hong Kong Open.

Boulter, 28, will play Russian top seed Diana Shnaider, 20, on Sunday as she bids for a third WTA title of the year.

The second seed, who is currently 29th in the world but will move up to at least 23rd when the rankings are next updated, is aiming to add to previous tournament victories in Nottingham and San Diego.

“I just wanted to finish my year on a career high, which is why today meant so much to me,” said Boulter, who reached her previous best ranking of 27th in March.

“I have actually done that, so I have got nothing to lose tomorrow. I am just going to swing free and enjoy it.”

Boulter edged a competitive opening set and the two players shared four breaks of serve at the start of the second before 26-year-old Yuan broke her again in the 12th game to force a deciding set.

The Briton cranked up the intensity in the opening game of the final set, clinching it with a forehand winner on her fourth break point, and stormed into a 3-0 lead after Yuan served up a double fault to gift her the double break.

Boulter then showed real grit to fend off Yuan in a marathon fourth game before closing out the win against the world number 45 with her sixth ace of the match.

She will take on Shnaider for the first time after the world number 14 beat Canada’s defending champion Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2 in Saturday’s second semi-final.